Billy Beane and the A’s are on the hunt: What that means, and where it goes from here

They were a blink away from the kind of blockbuster trade that the A’s almost always do, only completely and astoundingly the opposite.

Yes, the A’s were in deep negotiations to acquire infielder Hanley Ramirez from Miami… until the Dodgers waved their checkbook and did the deal themselves.

General manager Billy Beane wouldn’t comment specifically on the Ramirez chase when we talked Wednesday afternoon, but he didn’t deny any of it, either.

Which means: The A’s, the surprise of baseball so far, are surprisingly ready and able to load up on talent and payroll at the trade deadline, and still are sifting through the options.

“You do have to be disciplined,” Beane said. “But you also have to respect what this team has done.

“And you want to try to push this as far as it can go this year, and if you can help in any area, you have to do that.
You owe them that shot.”

So the A’s were prepared to give up a prospect or two and take back probably about half of the $35 million remaining on Ramirez’s contract, a rather major departure from past A’s practices.

But it’s also classic Beane: Just when you think he’s doing one thing, he pivots and does the reverse.

He has rebuilt the young talent base of this franchise so swiftly and efficiently that the A’s can now jump into the big-ticket trade market.

If it’s not Ramirez at a reduced price, then maybe the A’s can explore Arizona’s Stephen Drew to upgrade their shortstop position.

Or, Beane says, maybe somebody surprising will come available closer to the deadline. Their pitching depth—at the major- and minor-league level—means they can part with an arm or two without too much fretting.

They’re good, and they’re on the hunt. And Beane likes being on the hunt.

One emphasis: Beane said the A’s, as always, are built with an eye to two and three years down the road, not only for immediate results.

And suddenly, the A’s have a handful of players that Beane now protects like gold bullion.

“We have some young players that are absolutely untouchable,” Beane said. “And I’ve rarely said that—even internally. I almost never say we can’t talk about somebody. Usually, my feeling is that everybody can be discussed.

“But there are a few players that I will not trade—on the major-league roster and in the minor leagues. I will not consider trading them.”

He wouldn’t name the untouchables, but surely the list starts with triple-A pitcher Dan Straily (who currently leads baseball in strikeouts) and probably includes current A’s Jarrod Parker and Yoenis Cespedes.

Otherwise, Beane said he and his staff are always “scanning the horizon” for improvements, as every team does.

When I asked him if maybe the A’s are already good enough to make a long run into October, Beane said he and his staff have to be realistic.

“Look, we’re hitting .228,” Beane said (and remember, this was hours before the A’s demolition of TorontoWednesday night). “And I’m not saying that’s who we are as an offensive club, but that’s what we’re hitting.

“We’re at a high-water mark right now—over the last few weeks. We’ve been playing extremely well and maybe that continues.

“We won four games against the Yankees, and it was great to win them, but they were four one-run games. We could’ve just as easily lost four one-run games in that series, with a groundball here or there.

“There wasn’t a lot of margin for error there.”

There’s margin in the payroll, though.

The A’s have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, a situation partially created this year when Beane traded away All-Stars Andrew Bailey, Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill for a bounty of talent in return.

Now, one more veteran bat might be one of the last pieces for the 2012 A’s. Subract, and add. It’s all in the timing.

“The challenge isn’t the money issue,” Beane said. “Finding the right guy is the bigger issue.”

And Beane is on the hunt. He’s enjoying the run so far, but it’s his nature to think above the next move, and around the next curve.

By the time you figure out what it is, the A’s probably already will be there, planning for the next-next thing.

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I think Kurt Young deserves an article about what an amazing job he’s done as pitching coach. Starters and pen are performing spectacularly. It’s talent, yes, but I’m sure Kurt is playing a part in harnessing that talent and keeping them mentally on an even keel. Great job by entire organization, or have you forgotten that 90 loss prediction?

NYCASFAN

I agree with GW. Also, this is not the first time the A’s pitching has suprised under Young. Although we always have to take the ballpark into account (the A’s probably aren’t the 3rd best pitching staff in baseball, but they also aren’t the 28th worst hitting team either).

On the bigger picture, this team is proving to be great fun to watch, and anyone who likes baseball should follow this ride as long as it lasts!

lime

Best baseball team in the Bay Area….

That Man

Cespedes might have been Beane’s best move ever. He is better than anyone thought, and already the best player on the A’s. The A’s need to keep winning and get the Stadium issue worked out in the next 4 years or else he is going to the Yankees/Red Sox. sigh.
This pitching staff amazes me. So many rookies just dominating day after day. Kurt does deserve more credit. Plus they have one of the best prospects in the minors. I read this article a few days ago on Straily:http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/7/20/3171846/dan-straily-oakland-athletics-trade-rumors
The future is looking bright for the A’s

TooFunny

Lime, bold opinion but just that for now; gotta get a better win %. But hey, great for the A’s and loyal A’s fans! At least there is some hope now and not years down the road. (Yes, the Giants have been my favorite team for 35 yrs. but I’ve pulled for the A’s for about 31).

old stater fan

That revenue sharing money can come in handy now, if they can find another bat. Josh Willingham? Sound familiar? A’s are suddenly relevant again. Can they keep it up? Stay tuned…

3rdKing

as a lifelong fan of the A’s and Giants

we are lucky to have the 2 best GM’s in the game

Loyalty

3rdKing, you’re such a bandwagon guy. I recall you doing nothing but bashing the A’s every time Tim wrote an Oakland piece, but here you are all of a sudden praising Billy when the team is winning. Give me a break.

j-walk

Tulowitzky!!!

Tristan

I fully agree that with Curt Young back, our staff would do very well. We always have a great pitching coach. Then with the acquisition of the free agents, I felt they would be great cheap pickups because they do well at the o.co and they pitch well against the division teams. Seth Smith was the wild card, but he is a baseball player with a great track record. I felt that this team could approach a .500 record by years and and placed $50 bets with numerous Giants fans who predicted they would lose up to 100 games. I guess I am going to make $250 in a couple of months.